Standoff comes to quiet end

Published 6:00 pm, Tuesday, March 26, 2002

The 49-year-old Friendswood resident kept police at bay for approximately 45 minutes as they tried to negotiate with him and get him medical help.

The agency was alerted to the situation when a member of the man's family called police stating that the man had just left the residence in his car and was contemplating suicide.

The family member told police that the man was armed with a handgun.

Officer Barry Yodzis spotted the vehicle and followed, awaiting backup. He noted that the vehicle also contained a female passenger. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle.

The vehicle pulled into several businesses and driveways but the vehicle did not stop until it pulled into a driveway in the 1200 block of Briarmeadow.

Officers kept a safe distance and no pursuit was called as the vehicle traveled through the neighborhood.

The man exited the vehicle, but stood close to it as he spoke with officers about the situation. He allowed the female, a friend of the family, to leave the vehicle and walk to safety where the officers were staged.

The man did not display a weapon but would not allow officers to come close, threatening to retrieve the weapon from the car.

Officer Bruce Uhr negotiated with the man for some time and finally got him to surrender without any shots being fired. Officers did find a .44 magnum Bulldog handgun in the car, within reach of the subject.

No charges were filed in the incident. The man was released to family members who took him to an area hospital to seek treatment.